2009 Barry Potter And The Chamber Pot Of Secrets

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What do you get when you cross a photographer with a dentist? Answer:a good night’s entertainment for all the family. Bim Bollard, (photographer), and Mark Neal, (dentist) delighted audiences with their production of “Barry Potter and the Chamber Pot of Secrets”.

With Ann Gillingham in command as the narrator J.K. Rollover the audience were soon part of the first scene showing the rapid birth of Barry Potter from under his mother’s cloak! Mr & Mrs Potter played by Bim Bollard and Chris Towle were not in the least surprised by this occurence.

We are then pitchforked into the horrid aunt Beryl and uncle Vernon’s house where Barry is to live. Played by the indomitable Anne and norman broom and their gradson, Dylan, who played the oversize Norbert, they were comical rather than cruel and caused great amusement.

The cast were enhanced by a bevvy of bogworts children of varying ages who were obviously enjoying their many parts which they all played enthusiastically. Barry potter competently played by Sebastian Lancaster as the young magician with a striking M on his forehead which stood for the ‘Moreton’ in the wicked Voldermoreton’s name. Each time this was mentioned the whole cast and an encouraged audience shouted out ‘Not Moretonhampstead’ in true pantomime style.

Kevin Bunclark as the wicked Voldermoreton was, as expected, evil personified and relished the role. As his sidekick Kirstyn Munro was delightful.

Barry’s two friends, Haemorrhoidy and Don Weasel were well cast. Mention must be made of Bob Arnold as the magnificently dressed Professor Doubledoors complete with long snowy beard. his counterpart Singldoors played by Jamie Kaye stole the show with his enormous ears, shaggy hair and tiny beard and when he was teased the audience showed their sympathy.

Enjoyable cameo parts were played by Su Kaye, John Wills, Nigel Gillingham, Jenny Connely, Mark Neal and Bim All in all a cleverly devised show written by local people, acted by local people and directed to a professional standard by Nigel Gillingham involving the community for the community.